Nail clipping stand

ABSTRACT

An illustrated view of an exemplary nail clipping stand apparatus for those unable to clip their toes normally is presented. The nail clipping stand is useful for providing an apparatus that can allow for those with disabilities, are of an older age, or just unable to normally reach their toes to clip their toenails without seeking aid from others. The nail clipping stand is useful for providing a user with a feeling of independence, increased self-esteem and satisfaction without the need to rely on others. Further, the nail clipping stand is useful for not only helping to keep the health of the user&#39;s toenails but also to provide an apparatus that makes clean up and finding of the clipped toenails easy, efficient and timely.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to nail clipping. More particularly, it relates to stands used to ease nail clipping.

BACKGROUND

A nail is a horn-like keratinous envelope covering the tips of the fingers and toes in most primates. Nails evolved from claws found in other animals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protective protein called alpha-keratin which is found in the hooves, hair, claws and horns of vertebrates.

The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix and the nail bed below it, and the grooves surrounding it.

The matrix, sometimes called the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, nail matrix, or onychostroma, is the tissue (or germinal matrix) which the nail protects. It is the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph and blood vessels. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate. The width and thickness of the nail plate is determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix, while the shape of the fingertip itself shows if the nail plate is flat, arched, or hooked. The matrix will continue to produce cells as long as it receives nutrition and remains in a healthy condition. As new nail plate cells are made, they push older nail plate cells forward; and in this way older cells become compressed, flat, and translucent. This makes the capillaries in the nail bed below visible, resulting in a pink color.

The nail sinus (sinus unguis) is where the nail root is; i.e. the base of the nail underneath the skin. It originates from the actively growing tissue below, the matrix.

The nail plate (corpus unguis) is the hard part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. Several layers of dead, compacted cells cause the nail to be strong but flexible. Its (transverse) shape is determined by the form of the underlying bone. In common usage, the word nail often refers to this part only.

The free margin (Margo liber) or distal edge is the anterior margin of the nail plate corresponding to the abrasive or cutting edge of the nail. The hyponychium (informally known as the “quick”) is the epithelium located beneath the nail plate at the junction between the free edge and the skin of the fingertip. It forms a seal that protects the nail bed. The ectodermal band is the seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium. It is just under the free edge, in that portion of the nail where the nail bed ends and can be recognized in fair-skinned people by its glassy, greyish color. It is not visible in some individuals while it is highly prominent on others.

Nails can also become thickened, loosened, infected with fungus, or degenerate. A common nail disorder is an ingrown toenail.

The best way to care for nails is to trim them regularly. Filing is also recommended, as to keep nails from becoming too rough and to remove any small bumps or ridges that may cause the nail to get tangled up in materials such as cloth.

When those who need to have their toenails trimmed and are of an older age, disabled or unable to fully reach their toes in normal situations, they are unable or at the needs of others to trim their toenails. This can cause many of the issues when they do not take proper care of their toenails.

Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus to aid those individuals that are of an older age, disabled or unable to fully reach their toes in normal situations, they are unable or at the needs of others to trim their toenails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustrated view of an exemplary nail clipping stand apparatus.

FIG. 1B is an illustrated folded view of an exemplary nail clipping stand apparatus shown in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. Such terms do not generally signify a closed list.

“Above,” “adhesive,” “affixing,” “any,” “around,” “both,” “bottom,” “by,” “comprising,” “consistent,” “customized,” “enclosing,” “friction,” “in,” “labeled,” “lower,” “magnetic,” “marked,” “new,” “nominal,” “not,” “of,” “other,” “outside,” “outwardly,” “particular,” “permanently,” “preventing,” “raised,” “respectively,” “reversibly,” “round,” “square,” “substantial,” “supporting,” “surrounded,” “surrounding,” “threaded,” “to,” “top,” “using,” “wherein,” “with,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise.

Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an illustrated view of an exemplary nail clipping stand apparatus 100 for those unable to clip their toes normally is presented. The nail clipping stand 100 is useful for providing an apparatus 100 that can allow for those with disabilities, are of an older age, or just unable to normally reach their toes to clip their toenails without seeking aid from others. The nail clipping stand 100 is useful for providing a user with a feeling of independence, increased self-esteem and satisfaction without the need to rely on others. Further, the nail clipping stand 100 is useful for not only helping to keep the health of the user's toenails but also to provide an apparatus that makes clean up and finding of the clipped toenails easy, efficient and timely.

The nail clipping stand 100 preferably has a height of eighteen (18) inches, however other heights are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, fifteen (15) inches, twenty (20) inches, etc. The nail clipping stand 100 preferably has a length of twelve (12) inches, however other lengths are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, ten (10) inches, thirteen (13) inches, etc. The nail clipping stand 100 preferably has a width of six (6) inches, however other widths are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, four (4) inches, seven (7) inches, etc. The nail clipping stand 100 may be of any color desired.

The nail clipping stand 100 has a stand apparatus 200.

The stand apparatus 200 has a first leg 210, a second leg 220, a catch tray 600 and a foot rest 500.

The foot rest 500 has a first end 501, a second end 502, a top 503 and a bottom 504. The foot rest 500 are preferably padded. The first end 501 of the foot rest 500 also has a folding heel rest 505. The heel rest 505 can swivel a few degrees to accommodate the rotation of the leg at the knee, while still supporting the leg and foot

The top 503 of the foot rest 500 is configured to accommodate a foot 400 of a person. A heel 401 of the foot 400 of the person is positioned to be substantially near the first end 501 of the foot rest 500. Toes 402 of the foot 400 of the person is positioned to be substantially near the second end 502 of the foot rest 500. The foot rest 500 is angled such that the first end 501 of the foot rest 500 is at least closer to a ground or floor 900 than the second end 502 of the foot rest 500.

The first leg 210 has a first end 211 and a second end 212. The first end 211 of the first leg 210 is configured to be on the ground or the floor. The second end 212 of the first leg 210 is configured to be hingedly coupled substantially near the first end 501 of the bottom 504 of the foot rest 500. The first leg 210 has a height position coupling 213. The first leg 210 preferably is variable in height by use of the height coupling 213. The number of height positions of the leg is preferably two positions, however other number of positions are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, one (1), four (4), etc.

In FIG. 1B, the first leg 210 is foldable such that when being put into storage the first leg 210 can become flat with the nail clipping stand 100. The first leg 210 is preferably made of a hard-plastic material, however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, wood, such as oak, maple, pine, etc., metal, plastic, PVC, etc.

The second leg 220 has a first end 221 and a second end 222. The first end 221 of the second leg 220 is configured to be on the ground or the floor 900. The second end 222 of the second leg 220 is configured to be hingedly coupled substantially near the second end 502 of the bottom 504 of the foot rest 500. The second leg 220 has a height position coupling 223. The second leg 220 preferably is variable in height by use of the height coupling 223. The number of height positions of the leg is preferably two positions, however other number of positions are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, one (1), four (4), etc. The second leg 220 is at least greater height than the first leg 210.

The difference of the height of the first leg 210 and the second leg 220 configures an angle of the foot rest 500 such that the toes 402 of the person resting substantially near the second end 502 of the foot rest 500 is higher and easier to reach than the heel 401 of the foot 400 of the person positioned to be substantially near the first end 501 of the foot rest 500.

In FIG. 1B, the second leg 220 is foldable such that when being put into storage the second leg 220 can become flat with the nail clipping stand 100. The second leg 220 is preferably made of a hard-plastic material, however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, wood, such as oak, maple, pine, etc., metal, plastic, PVC, etc.

The heel rest 505 can be folded on the first end 501 configured to be coupled to the top 503 of the foot rest 500 as shown in FIG. 1B.

The catch tray 600 is hingedly coupled to the second end 502 of the foot rest 500 such that when clipping of nails are clipped, they fall into the catch tray 600 to ease in the removable of the nail clippings. The catch tray 600 of the stand apparatus 100 is preferably box shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, cup, square, oval, trapezoidal, etc.

In FIG. 1B, the catch tray 600 is foldable such that when being put into storage the catch tray 600 can become flat with the nail clipping stand 100. The catch tray 600 is preferably made of a hard-plastic material, however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, wood, such as oak, maple, pine, etc., metal, plastic, PVC, etc.

In the numbered clauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called “dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they refer or other features described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate (e.g. being part of furniture items, such as sofas, chairs, beds, etc., but not limited to these), without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail clipping stand apparatus 100 for those unable to clip their toes normally, the apparatus comprising: a tray, the tray having an inside and a rim; a stand apparatus, the stand apparatus comprising: a foot rest, the foot rest having a top, a bottom, a first end and a second end, wherein a heel of a foot being configured substantially near the first end of the foot rest, and wherein toes of the foot being substantially near the second end of the foot rest; a first leg, the first leg having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end being configured to be coupled to a floor, and wherein the second end being hingedly coupled to substantially near the first end of the bottom of the foot rest, and wherein the first leg has a height coupling, wherein the first leg being variable in height, and wherein the variability of height being controlled by the height coupling; a second leg, the second leg having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end being configured to be coupled to a floor, and wherein the second end being hingedly coupled to substantially near the second end of the bottom of the foot rest, wherein the second leg having a height coupling, wherein the second leg being variable in height, wherein the variability of height being controlled by the height coupling, and wherein the second leg having at least a greater height than the first leg; and a catch tray, the catch tray being hingedly coupled to the second end of the foot rest, wherein the catch tray being for catching clippings from the toes of the foot.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg being foldable.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second leg being foldable.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catch tray being foldable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus having a length being twelve (12) inches.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus having a height being eighteen (18) inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus having a width being six (6) inches.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg being made of a hard-plastic material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second leg being made of a hard-plastic material.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second leg being at least a greater height than the first leg.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot rest being angled, wherein the second end of the foot rest being at a great height than the first end of the foot rest.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot rests being padded.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catch tray having a shape being a box.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heel rest is foldable and can swivel. 